Non-slip mat or pad

ABSTRACT

A non-slip mat, pad or coaster which is considerably thinner than present known and available pads, the mat or pad being formed from a thin plastic sheet having a lower surface with a tacky characteristic to provide a non-slip coefficient of friction; the mat or pad being formed from a suitable plastic material, such as polyvinyl, polyproplylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene or polyester, etc., and the lower surface is formed by coating the surface with a suitable ink, such as an ultra-violet ink, water-based ink or solvent-based ink containing a tackiness agent in the form of an acrylated polymer. The ink may be applied as a very thin firm of the ink adhesively joined to the underside of the plastic, or the ink is coated onto the undersurface of the pad or mat by silk screening, or in a multimaterial coating operation.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention disclosed herein relates to an improved non-slip mat orpad which is substantially thinner and more compact than presentlyavailable mats but provides the required frictional characteristics toprevent slipping upon substantially any surface without being sticky tothe touch.

BACKGROUND

With the advent of the computer mouse, the roller on the bottom of themouse required a pad or mat with a relatively smooth surface upon whichthe mouse would roll, but the pad would necessarily require a non-slipsurface on its lower surface which contacts the desk or shelf surfacefor the computer or its accessories. A computer mouse is a hand-helddevice operated on a flat surface which, in cooperation with theappropriate computer hardware and software, permits a computer operatorto control the movement of a cursor or pointer located on a computerdisplay such as a CRT monitor. Typically, a computer mouse includes agenerally rounded body to be grasped by the operator with a controlcable connected to the computer. The lower surface of the mouse includesa roller ball which is connected electronically via the control cable toa cursor or display pointer located on a video display associated withthe computer. A typical computer mouse further includes activationbuttons. A computer mouse may be used with a graphical use interface(GUI), such as Microsoft Windows 95.

If the operator of the mouse desires to move the display pointer orcursor to the upper left of the display, the operator orients the mouseon the flat operating surface and pushes the mouse in the direction ofthe upper left corner of the display while watching the display. Thecursor changes its position to correspond to the relative change in theposition of the mouse; thus, the operator can guide the cursor to anyposition on the display by use of the mouse.

The use of a mouse greatly increases the speed and ease of inputtingcommands to the computer and facilitates much faster data entry thanthat provided by keyboard usage. While computer mice are capable ofachieving high resolutions, the work surface upon which the mouse canmove can have a profound impact on the resolution and the efficiency ofthe mouse.

Recently, there has been increased interest in the construction and useof a mouse pad for a computer mouse, or a mat used for a counter, suchas for making change in a fast food establishment or in a conveniencestore. Conventional mouse pads typically consist of a completely flatpad constructed from soft foam materials which may fray and splinterwith extended use and with a generally smooth top surface on which themouse operates. Another problem is that where the mat or pad iscontaminated by spillage of liquids or semisolid materials, the foamrubber backing for the smooth top surface may absorb the liquid or othercontaminant resulting in degradation of the foam or adherence of thefoam material with the top surface of the counter. If not removedpromptly, the foam material may stick to the supporting surface,resulting in a later problem of removal.

It would be desirable to provide a mouse pad or non-slip mat for acounter top which is constructed from a very thin material having alower non-slip surface that is easily manufactured and will not breakdown or denigrate with extended use, with the material providing anon-slip surface whether the supporting surface is wet or dry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel and improved non-slip mat orpad that is much thinner and more efficient than commercially availablemouse pads or mats having a foam supporting surface which is in contactwith the surface of a counter or desktop of the user. Such a mat or padwould include mouse pads, desk mats, change pads, placemats andcoasters. The mat or pad is formed using a substrate formed of asuitable plastic material, such as polyvinyl, polypropylene,polycarbonate, polystyrene or a polyester material with a non-slip lowersurface applied either as a film laminated to the substrate or as acoating from an appropriate composition of ink. The ink is applied tothe lower surface of the pad or mat and allowed to cure; the ink beingprovided with an additive to provide a tacky condition to the surface.

The present invention also comprehends a mouse pad or mat which has anon-slip lower surface provided by a suitable process, such as screeningthe ink onto the surface, lithographic or flexographic printing the inkonto the pad or mat or coated in a sheet feed press or a web feed press.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mouse pad or other mat or coaster ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view of the pad or mat taken on theirregular line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial lower elevational view of a corner of the lowersurface of the pad or mat taken on the line 3--3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a portion of a web feeding pressfor manufacturing the pad or mat.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view of a silk screening operation for thecoating of the non-slip surface of the pad or mat.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative side elevational view of a multi-color sheetfeeding press for multi-color printing on the exposed surface of the pador mat and coating a non-slip material on the lower surface of the pador mat.

ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawings whereinare shown illustrative embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 1discloses a mouse pad, deskmat, change pad, placemat, coaster or othermat 10 which is substantially thinner than presently known and used padsas surfaces for operation of a computer mouse, as a mat utilized on acounter of a convenience food or drug store or restaurant or a coasterutilized in a home or restaurant wherein a surface is required tosupport glasses of liquid where condensation or spillage might occur.The overall thickness of the pad or mat lies within the range of 1.0 milto 30.0 mils; with a preferred thickness of 10.0 to 30.0 mil for thesubstrate or plastic carrier 11. The pad 10 is formed of a substantiallyrigid thermoplastic material, such as polyvinyl, polypropylene,polycarbonate ("LEXAN"), polystyrene or polyesters. To this substrate isadded, either by application as a thin film or a coating 12, a suitableink containing an agent providing a tacky texture providing the non-slipcharacteristics of the pad or mat. The inks which may be used as acoating or film are ultraviolet (U.V.) inks, which are cured by exposureto ultraviolet light, water-based inks or solvent-based inks which arecured by drying. A dielectric material is usually added to the ink toprevent static, especially where the pad is utilized as a mouse pad, andthe ink formulation may contain a scent to offset the odor of the ink.

To provide an appropriate coefficient of friction for a non-slip surfacewhich is to come in contact with a desk, table or counter top, the inkformulation is provided with a tackifier or tackiness agent to providethe non-slip characteristic, but which is not sticky to the touch. Sucha tackiness agent may be an acrylated polymer, such as the product"Lustercure" LC 30-100 manufactured by the Kolorcure Corporation ofBatavia, Ill. This material is a viscous liquid with a characteristicacrylic odor and is practically insoluble in water.

Application of the non-slip surface material to the underside of the pador mat is accomplished by one of several methods. The ink may becontained in the form of a thin plastic film or in sheet or strip formand the substrate and film are of discrete dimensions; the substrate 11and the thin plastic film 12 being adhesively joined and pressedtogether in a conventional press or passed through a series of opposedpairs of rollers 15, such as shown in FIG. 4, in a web-feed lithographicpress 14 wherein pressure by the rollers causes the substrate and filmto adhere together. Also, if the thin film 12 and substrate 11 are inlong extended sheets or elongated rolls or strips, the substrate strip16 and the film strip 12 may be run through the series of rollers asshown in FIG. 4.

Also shown in FIG. 4, is a coating attachment 17 for the web-feedlithographic press 14 to apply an ink coating 12 via the rollers 18 tothe elongated strip of the substrate material 16. The coating attachmentincludes a tray 19 for the ink with a series of rollers 20 leading tothe rollers 18 which are in contact with the rollers 15 to apply thecoating to the strip of the substrate 16.

Another method of forming the non-slip surface for the mat or pad is toapply the liquid ink compounded with the acrylated polymer to providethe non-slip characteristics for the mat or pad by a silk screeningprocess as shown in FIG. 5. This figure discloses a screening processwherein a frame 21 for holding the screen 22 so as to cover the surfaceof a mat or pad with the U.V. ink being applied onto the surface of themat or pad through the screen by a squeegee 23. Obviously, if a designis desired in the non-slip surface, the mat or pad could be processedthrough a series of screens for multiple colors. If a transparent orslightly translucent substrate is utilized, a design on the lowersurface could show through the pad.

If the mat or pad is to contain suitable advertising, such as amulticolor logo, or a design, such as a picture, school emblem or logo,or other pictures or scenes, etc., one side of the substrate willreceive color printing or coating in a reverse printing process withappropriate materials. Thus, in FIG. 6 is shown a six stationlithographic press 31 for multicolor printing and coating of the U.V.ink and tackiness agent on the lower surface; the substrate beingtransparent with the printing occurring from the backside and showingthrough the substrate. The press 31 includes a sheet feeding initialstation 32 where individual sheets for a single mat or pad or formultiple mats or pads on a single sheet. A feeding device 33 feedssheets in sequence through several color printing stations 34, 37, 41,44, 47 and 51; each station containing suitable rollers 35, 36; 38, 39;42, 43; 45, 46; 48, 49; and 52, 53 for applying each of the six inks,respectively. Also, intermediate rollers 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, and 59 arelocated between the rollers 35, 38, 42, 45, 48 and 52 for driving andsynchronizing the rollers together. Beyond the last ink color station 51is positioned a first coating unit 61 for coating the undersurface ofthe sheet by rollers 62, 63, applying the U.V. ink with tackinesscompound therein, a drying unit 64 and a second coating unit 65 withrollers 66, 67 followed by a chain or belt drying unit 69 leading to adelivery station 71.

The process for coating a mat or pad is especially useful for mouse padsused with a computer. Today, substantially all computers rely heavilyupon the use of a mouse for easily and quickly controlling the functionsof the computer with respect to selecting programs, and features andfunctions, such as a spelling checker, printing, format, underlining,etc. Present day mouse pads are relatively thick with a top surface toallow movement of the mouse thereon and a non-slip undersurface formedof a foam rubber; the top surface being relatively thin and the foamunderlayer providing most of the thickness for the pad. The new mousepad of the present invention reduces the thickness of the pad toapproximately one-third or one-fourth of the total thickness of thepresently used pads and provides a "Velvet" texture finish or mattefinish.

In businesses, such as restaurants, diners, lunchrooms, and the like, achange pad or counter mat is used over a generally glass top of a case,which may contain candy, cigars, cigarettes, etc., where the mat has afoam rubber or similar backing giving the mat a substantial thicknessand providing the non-slip characteristic of the mat on a glass or othersmooth top. Unfortunately, the foam rubber backing will absorb odors andliquids from spillage, may become sticky and, when dry, stick to thecounter top. If the mat remains stuck to the counter top for a anysubstantial time, it will require extra labor to remove the mat byscraping or otherwise removing the mat by a suitable solvent. The matmanufactured using the new materials and characteristics, will notabsorb liquids or odors, and is easily cleanable. Also, the coating ofthe non-slip material on the undersurface of the mat may be coloredand/or may be provided with a suitable texture to the ink coated surfacewhich will further enhance the non-slip characteristics of the mat orpad.

In the home, drink coasters may be provided by the host to provide heatprotection and/or cold temperature protection to prevent surface damageto a desk or table top from heat or from liquid spots from condensationon a furniture surface from a cold glass or from spillage of thecontents of the glass. These coasters generally have a cork base surfaceto provide the non-slip characteristics of the coaster. For a suitablecork coaster, there must be a sufficient thickness of the cork or thesurface will crumble in use. Coasters are also formed of metal, hardplastic and leather, however, each of these materials has disadvantageswhich will be solved by the use of the present material for the coaster.A coaster of the present invention, like a mat or mouse pad, will berelatively thin, will not absorb odors or liquids from spillage orcondensation, and the tacky compound in the lower surface provides anideal non-slip surface on a table or desk top without marring thesurface and provides excellent protection from spotting, spillage orother accidents.

Although the use of the non-slip pad or mat has been described for usewith a computer mouse pad, a counter mat for a restaurant or conveniencestore or as a coaster for use with hot or cold drinks wherein thecoaster acts to protect a wooden or other surface from heat or coldwhich is subject to marring or staining from high temperature orspillage, the present invention may be utilized with any pad or matwhere a non-slip characteristic is required in the home, industry orretail establishment.

I claim:
 1. A non-slip mat or pad consisting of a transparent plasticsheet having an upper surface and a lower surface, a coating of one ormore inks forming a design on the lower surface and adapted to showthrough the plastic sheet to be seen through the top surface, and anon-slip coating adhering to the lower surface and inked coatings toform a mat or pad having a thickness in the range of 1.0 to 30.0 mils.2. A non-slip mat or pad as set forth in claim 1 wherein said non-slipsurface is formed of a coating of an ink applied to the undersurface ofthe inked coatings forming the design on said plastic sheet.
 3. Anon-slip mat or pad as set forth in claim 1, in which said ink is anultraviolet ink containing a tackiness agent.
 4. A non-slip mat or padas set forth in claim 3, wherein said tackiness agent is an acrylatedpolymer.
 5. A non-slip mat or pad as set forth in claim 1, in which saidnon-slip surface is formed by a coating of a water-based ink containinga tackiness agent.
 6. A non-slip mat or pad as set forth in claim 1, inwhich said non-slip surface is formed by a coating of a solvent-basedink containing a tackiness agent.
 7. A non-slip mat or pad as set forthin claim 2, wherein said plastic sheet for the mat or pad is formed froma material selected from the group of poly-propylene polycarbonate,polystyrene, polyester or polyvinyl plastic material.
 8. A non-slip mator pad as set forth in claim 1, wherein the non-slip surface is notsticky to the touch.
 9. A non-slip mat or pad as set forth in claim 1,wherein said mat or pad has a thickness in the range of 10.0 to 30.0mils.
 10. A non-slip mat or pad as set forth in claim 1 in which saidlower surface is provided with a white coating layer applied to saidinked layers so that said design is adapted to show through saidtransparent top surface.
 11. A non-slip mat or pad as set forth in claim10, in which said design is printed on said lower layer with anappropriate ultra-violet ink which is cured to bond to said plasticsheet.